Help for Parents & Grandparents
A Parents Guide to Prevention
Most ministry parents who face this problem finally come to accept that they are not to blame
for their child's addiction. While it may sound almost trite, they too need to learn to "let
go and let God."
It is important for parents to realize nothing they did caused the addict to use and nothing
they do can stop the addict from using. Only God can change and bring about a cure in another's
life as he/she turns to Him.
There are, however, some good publications, guidelines, and insights on prevention that every
parent should consider. One we recommend is Growing Up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide To Prevention.
The chapter titles for the book are below; to order a copy please go to the government's website
and search for the title.
Growing Up Drug Free:
A Parent's Guide to Prevention
(Source: U.S. Dept. of Education - Safe and Drug Free Schools Program)
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: How This Book Will Help You
- Bad habits can start early
- It could be your child
- Why you shouldn't allow your children to smoke marijuana
- Chapter 2: Laying The Groundwork
- Planning for togetherness
- Making your position clear
- What your own alcohol, tobacco, and drug use tells your children
- What to say when your child asks, "Did you ever use drugs?"
- A mother looks back
- How grandparents can help raise drug-free children
- Chapter 3: Talking With Your Children Effectively
- Teachable moments
- When there's a family history of alcoholism or drug abuse
- The drugs in your kitchen cabinet
- Helping your child say "no" to drugs
- Chapter 4: Your Child's Perspective
- Why a child uses drugs
- What our culture tells children about drugs
- Chapter 5: How To Teach Your Child About Drugs
- Preschoolers
- Kindergarten through third grade (5 — 8 years old)
- Grades four through six (9 — 11 years old)
- Grades seven through nine (12 — 14 years old)
- Grades ten through twelve (15 — 17 years old)
- Questions children frequently ask about drugs
- When your child enters middle school or junior high
- Drug Myth vs. Reality
- Medical marijuana update
- Tobacco and teens: a bad combination
- Five sons — many lessons
- Chapter 6: What To Do If You Think Your Child Might Be Using Drugs
- Signs that your child might be using drugs
- Acting on your suspicions
- Addiction
- Finding the right treatment
- Advice from a teen in treatment
- A family triumphs
- Chapter 7: Getting Involved And Staying Involved
- Parent-school partnerships
- Help from the community
- Reclaiming our neighborhoods block by block
- Parents supporting each other
- What you can do
- Chapter 8: Where To Get Information And Help
- Support groups
- Information on drug prevention and treatment
- Parent mobilization groups for drug prevention
- Parenting websites
- Recommended reading
- Bibliography
"God comforts us in all of our troubles so that we can comfort others in their troubles."
